New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell took a sharp catch at first slip to dismiss star England batter Joe Root in the first innings of the ongoing second Test match. Daryl Mitchell made a tricky catch look relatively easy, grabbing the ball that was traveling at pace after flying off the thick edge of Joe Root’s bat.
Black Caps captain Tom Latham chose to bowl first after winning the toss at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday, December 6. New Zealand pacer Matt Henry dismissed Ben Duckett for a duck in the fourth over. Henry then took the wicket of Zak Crawley (17 off 23), leaving England at 21/2 in 7.1 overs.
Watch: Daryl Mitchell Takes Stunner to Dismiss Joe Root
Nathan Smith dismissed Joe Root in the 11th over of England’s first innings. Root tried to guide a back-of-length ball to third man, but he edged it. Daryl Mitchell, who was stationed at the first slip, managed to grab the ball with one hand while diving to his right. Root scored just 3 runs off 7 deliveries.
What a catch this was from Daryl Mitchell 👏
New Zealand with another wicket over England 📈
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Notably, it was the second time Nathan Smith dismissed Root in the Test series. The former England skipper was dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the opening Test match. Notably, Root has recorded three consecutive single-figure scores in the first innings for the first time in his Test career.
Harry Brook Scores Second Consecutive Century vs New Zealand
Harry Brook, who scored 171 in the opening Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, smashed his eighth Test century during the first innings of the second match. He added a crucial 174-run stand with Ollie Pope, who scored 66 runs off 78 balls, helping England recover from a precarious position of 43-4.
However, England’s lower order collapsed after Brook’s dismissal. Brook scored 123 runs off 115 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes. They lost their last four wickets for just 21 runs and were bowled out for 280 in only 54.4 overs. Notably, England secured an eight-wicket win in the first Test match.
It’s a Traditional Surface Here in Wellington – Tom Latham
Speaking at the toss, Tom Latham emphasized that the team is focused on continuous improvement, regardless of past results. Latham also stated that Nathan Smith and other Wellington players were excited about the opportunity to play at their home ground.
“We are going to bowl. It’s a traditional surface here in Wellington. It’s an important first two hours of the Test match. Whether you win or lose, you are always looking for improvement. We have another challenge this week and we look forward to it,” Latham said.
“Last year it took a bit of turn but definitely not this year. We do have spin options in the top 7 and if it does get to that point we got some options there as well. Home Test for him (Nathan Smith) and a couple of other Wellington boys,” he added.
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